Fox and Hounds Daily Says Goodbye

With this article, we end publication of Fox and Hounds Daily. It has been a satisfying 12½ year run. When we opened in May 2008, our site was designed to offer an opportunity to those who wished to engage in public debate on many issues, especially in politics and business, but found it difficult to get placed in newspaper op-ed pages. 

Co-publishers Tom Ross, Bryan Merica and I have kept F&H going over this time investing our own time, funding, and staff help. Last year at this time we considered closing the site, however with an election on the horizon we decided to keep F&H going through the election year. With the election come and gone, and with no sense of additional resources, we have decided to close the site down. 

Fox and Hounds will live on, at least, with my articles collected in the California State Library.

On a personal note, I have spent over 40 years in California policy and politics. There have been some incredible high moments and some difficult low points. It pains me that politics too often is a blood sport, frequently demonizing the motives of opponents and using the legal system as a weapon in public discourse. At Fox & Hounds, we tried to adhere to the practice of giving all a voice in the debate, yet keep the commentaries civil and avoided personal attacks.

F&H offered the opportunity to publish different perspectives (even ones that criticized my writings!).  We had success as indicated by the Washington Post twice citing Fox and Hounds Daily one of the best California political websites and many other positive affirmations and comments received over the years.

Tom, Bryan and I want to thank our many readers and writers for being part of our journey.  The publishers of Fox and Hounds Daily believe that we added value to California and its people. We hope you agree.

The Presidential Race: But Seriously…

When George Wallace ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972, his slogan was “Send Them a Message!”   Last night’s winners might as well have used the same catchphrase. The New Hampshire primary was a political Festivus, in which Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders performed feats of strength while the electorate undertook the airing of grievances. Voters wanted to show that they were fed up with the political and economic establishments, and the double-digit margins got the message across quite vividly.

Trump and Sanders have become the voices of discontent by positioning themselves as “outsiders.” In neither case is the mantle a perfect fit. Sanders has held office for 33 of the past 35 years, and has always caucused with congressional Democrats. His avowed socialism scarcely sets him apart in a party that has galloped leftward ever since Bill Clinton let go of the reins in 2001. Trump has direct experience in government. Rather, he bought his seat at the table of power by spreading money liberally among New York politicians. If Trump supporters are right that most political insiders are prostitutes, then Trump has distinguished himself by being a john. (more…)

Hillary’s Tin Ear for Politics

An article by Politico Magazine chief correspondent Glenn Thrush on Monday titled “Clinton Weighs Staff Shakeup” jogged my ancient memory.

As I recall this happened in the 2008 Hillary Clinton campaign.  This year her complaints are that she is dissatisfied with the messaging and digital operations, which are two of the three main components of a campaign, the other being money.  This woman has been running since 2008 for the presidency, more than enough time to find the right political consultant and the right team to develop a campaign plan and how you’re going to message. A message that fits the world today and yes, have a relationship with the staff so that you can massage the message if needed by events.   (more…)

Did Rocky Just Sink Loretta?

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez’s best chance in the U.S. Senate race – the theory goes – is to grab the second spot in the June first round of the top two contest, and then rally against the frontrunner, Attorney General Kamala Harris, in the November runoff.

This Sanchez path to victory looked viable when there were three Republicans in the race, thus dividing that vote so that even the top GOP finisher would have less votes than Sanchez. But the path doesn’t look nearly so good after one of the three Republicans, Assemblyman Rocky Chavez, quit the race. (more…)

More Truthiness From CalSTRS’s CEO

In 2005 Stephen Colbert coined the word “truthiness” to describe “truths we want to exist.” His invention was timely because at that moment I was contending with truthiness as practiced by the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), to whose board I had been appointed that year. I discovered the organization was understating pension liabilities and overstating expected investment returns, a lethal combination with dangerous consequences for California’s public schools. After I encouraged the board to change those practices, an intense effort by special interests led to my removal. Later, when CalSTRS sought and received a bailout, truthiness reared its ugly head once again when the organization’s CEO was less than forthcoming about the real reasons for its deficit. Most recently, the CEO’s cover letter to CalSTRS’s latest annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 (FY2015) indicates truthiness remains standard operating procedure in his office. (more…)

Parking Up the Wrong Tree

You may have heard that Assemblyman Mike Gatto of Los Angeles recently proposed what he called a “Parking Bill of Rights” to bring some relief to long-abused motorists. When I read that, my heart started racing. I was a little unsure of what to do since it’s been more than 200 years since we last dealt with a Bill of Rights, but I was immediately ready to petition the Continental Congress or do whatever you need to do these days to get a bill of rights ratified.

But alas, when I read more about Gatto’s bill, I sunk back a bit. What he wants to do is alright, I suppose. But it just isn’t radical enough. (more…)

Political Power Struggle Over PUC Reforms

The California Public Utilities Commission rightly faces questions about its effectiveness and responsibilities, but in the end the issue of reforms will come down to a question of power—the political kind.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s proposed constitutional amendment to replace the authority of the PUC will get the debate started and public sentiment should be on his side. The natural gas disaster at Porter Ranch follows in relative short order the San Bruno gas line explosion and the questionable dealings involving the San Onofre nuclear power plant. All these highly publicized issues have given the PUC a black eye.

The PUC’s stated mission is “protecting consumers and ensuring the provision of safe, reliable utility service and infrastructure….” (more…)